Color Therapy: How Art Brings Joy to My Life—and Yours (Because Beige Walls Are a Cry for Help)
They say money can’t buy happiness, but have you tried buying a bright yellow painting? It’s cheaper than therapy and doesn’t talk back.
Seriously, for a second, color affects our emotions whether we realize it or not.
You’re probably familiar with the basics of color psychology, and I’ll talk about those ideas in a minute, but first I have a story about color and emotions.
Many years ago, I was struggling with a lot of stuff, some of it related to work and some of it just existential mess. So I did what I think anyone else would do.
I painted my office orange. I painted a band of electric blue right below the crown molding, and painted the trim dark red.
It was fabulous.
I still struggled with the same stuff, but at the same time I felt overall happier because my room just looked happy.
Okay, some people wouldn’t paint their walls orange. But I’m convinced we’d all be happier if we lived with more color.
The Science and Psychology of Color
Start with a fun fact: Did you know looking at green can lower your stress levels? It’s basically nature’s way of saying, “Chill out.”
It’s probably also because cool colors are calming. But nature probably does want us to chill out.
There’s a lot of documentation that color affects mood.
The basics are that red encourages energy, blue is calming, and orange is for when you’re feeling spicy but also need vitamin C.
What color psychology doesn’t address is beige. It’s honestly the only color that stresses me out. Why does it exist?
My Personal Color Therapy Journey
My first ever painting was black and gray, with a hint of very dark red.
I realized I was channeling too much “existential crisis.
I knew about color psychology from my years in marketing, and I knew about color theory from studying graphic design. I even knew a little bit about color mixing.
So I bought some bright paints, closed my eyes, and splashed some paint onto a canvas.
Okay, I didn’t close my eyes, but I did hold my breath.
My first colorful painting was a seascape with a blue ocean, an orange sky, and a paw print right in the middle, because my cat loves bold colors, too.
How Art Brings Joy to Others
One customer told me my painting made her feel calm, and another said it matched her dog’s collar. Both valid points!
One of my goals for my art is to bring joy and evoke emotions. Another goal is to help my buyers create something new in their space.
That one sad corner of your living room? Boom. Add a painting, and it’s suddenly the fancy reading nook of your dreams.
My biggest piece of advice for art buyers?
Pick art you love, not just something that matches your throw pillows. Unless your throw pillows are amazing—then go for it.
Incorporating Color Therapy Into Your Life
Bring some color into your life.
Do you feel tired and apathetic at work? Hang up a painting with bright red—it’s like coffee for your walls.
Too hyped at night to sleep? Paint your bedroom a soft blue and consider blue or green bed clothes.
Tend to get a little blue in the evening? Hang a bright yellow painting where you can see it.
Keep a small, colorful piece near your desk for when work emails get you down. Trust me, it’s cheaper than a margarita.
If you’re feeling bold, try painting something yourself. Worst case, you’ll create modern art; best case, you’ll create Picasso-level modern art. Step one: Grab some paint. Step two: Make a mess. Step three: Call it “abstract.”
A Few Final Words
My life without color? It’d be like a sitcom without a laugh track—awkward and painfully dull.
Whether you’re creating art or just staring at it while sipping tea, color therapy can bring a little more joy into your world. And hey, joy is always in season.
Browse my shop for something that makes your heart happy—or at least matches your dog’s collar.